Relationship between continuous glucose monitor (CGM)-assessed glycemic health and biological markers of cardiovascular health in adults

Abstract

Abstract Background Adults with overweight or obesity have a higher risk of the development of impaired glycemic health and cardiometabolic disorders. Glycemic variability acts as a more sensitive assessment of glycemic health compared to other clinical measures. Oxidative stress and diminished vascular health play a key role in the development of cardiometabolic disorders. Objective To examine the relationship between glucose concentrations and glycemic variability with biological markers of vascular health and oxidative stress. Methods Adults (n = 28; body mass index = 32.3 ± 6.3 kg/m2) completed 7-day continuous glucose monitoring. Percentage of time each day glucose concentrations were < 70 mg/dL, 70–180 mg/dL, and > 180 mg/dL was evaluated. Means of 24-h, waking and night sleep hours, maximum, minimum, and difference between maximum and minimum (Max–Min) glucose concentrations were determined. Measurements of intra- and inter-day glycemic variability were calculated. Fasting concentrations of glucose, vascular health marker nitric oxide (NO), and oxidative stress marker myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured, and the ratio of NO concentration to MPO concentration (NO:MPO) was calculated (propensity to vasodilate). Results MPO concentration negatively correlated with glycemic variability measured as the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (r2 = 0.23, β = − 0.62, p = 0.03), while the NO:MPO ratio positively correlated with fasting glucose concentration (r2 = 0.22, β = 3.79, p = 0.01). Conclusions Our findings suggest that an increased propensity to vasodilate relates to increased fasting glucose concentration, while increased oxidative stress relates to decreased glycemic variability. These findings were unexpected and necessitates further research into the potential mechanisms of these findings for cardiometabolic health in adults having overweight or obesity.